Seto-Inland / Hiroshima Lemon (low-spray fresh)

Setoda Lemon (瀬戸田レモン) / Hiroshima · Hiroshima (Setoda/Ikuchijima) / Ehime, Japan
Fresh & Specialty Yuzu & Citrus Chilled Growing export

Domestic Japanese lemons from the Seto Inland Sea (Setoda being the most famous) are marketed as premium, often low-spray/wax-free fruit usable peel-and-all — a contrast to imported lemons. They serve premium retail and zest/peel uses. As citrus they ship under Japan's lemon/citrus phytosanitary access to Asian markets. Sold loose and in gift packs, plus processed peel/juice lines.

The supplierTypical: Seto Inland Sea citrus growers/co-ops emphasizing low-spray, peel-edible quality.
Why it sells abroadPeel-edible, low-spray domestic Japanese lemon positioned against waxed imports for premium culinary use.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsLow-pesticide/reduced-spray 'eco-lemon' (confirmed) — Setoda growers received an Environmentally Friendly Agriculture award (2003) and produce edible-peel low-spray lemons via JA Hiroshima. Organic (certified): not publicly verified. JGAP: not verified.
Pack formatsLoose cartons and gift packs; processed SKUs (honey-pickled, syrup). Confirmed.
Shelf lifeFresh chilled ~3-5 weeks (industry norm).
StorageFresh: chilled 5-10C. Processed: per pack.
Minimum orderTypical: pallet
Lead timeTypical: 1-2 weeks
CapacityHarvest Oct-Mar (green to yellow); some greenhouse
Container loadTypical: LCL reefer
PricingTypical: peel-edible premium above import lemon
OEM / private labelGift-pack/processed branding via JA/exporter (confirmed for processed lines, e.g. honey-pickled syrup sets by JA Hiroshima).
Wholesale & MOQTypical: JPY 800-2,000 per kg FOB (premium Japan lemon)
Key exporters & distributorsJA Zen-Noh export desk, Hiroshima/Ehime prefectural exporters
Export regulationJapanese lemons (Citrus limon) ship to HK, SG, TW, TH under citrus phytosanitary access (import permit + MAFF phyto; cold-treatment/orchard protocol where required). Wax-free/low-spray is a marketing differentiator, not a regulatory category.
Market demandTypical: rising premium-retail and bar/restaurant demand in Asia
How to source itSetoda/Ikuchijima growers (Onomichi) via JA Hiroshima -> exporter -> premium importer. Setoda is ~30% of Japan's domestic lemon.
Verified sourceshttps://nihonmono.jp/en/article/28080/ (Setoda lemon edible-peel, ~30% domestic share); https://dive-hiroshima.com/en/feature/souvenir-lemon/ (JA Hiroshima Setoda processed/gift products)
MakerJA Mihara / Setoda growers, Hiroshima & Ehime
OriginHiroshima (Setoda/Ikuchijima) / Ehime, Japan
CategoryFresh & Specialty / Yuzu & Citrus
Available inHK, SG, TW, TH
HandlingChilled
Price tierPremium
ChannelMass
Export readinessGrowing export
HS code0805.50
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.